Vesicles Formed by Transition Metal Complexes: Synthesis, Morphology and Applications

Vesicles are one of the most important self-assembled manifestations because of their multidimensional applications in biology, catalysis and adsorption. Several synthetic vesicles have been prepared from small peptides, amphiphilic fatty acids, amino acids and organic molecules etc. Transition metal complexes derived from different types of ligands are found to be self assembled to form solid state networks and also supramolecular aggregates in solution. In this review article we have discussed about synthesis, morphology and utility of vesicles formed by 14 transition metal complexes of some amphiphilic and non-amphiphilic ligands. Interestingly, vesicles derived from transition metal complexes with non-amphiphilic ligands are mostly soluble in organic solvents, whereas those derived from amphiphilic ligands are soluble in aqueous medium. As a result, their potential applications can be explored in complementary solvents accordingly. This review summarizes the formation of some synthetic vesicles through self assembly of transition metal complexes with various amphiphilic and non amphiphilic ligands. It also explains the morphology and diverse applications of these vesicles in aqueous and organic solvents. image